By SANCHITHA CHARI
Staff Writer
Girls Golf came in first place in CIF Southern Section with an overall score of 365 on Monday, October 30. This is the first time Girls Golf has won Southern Section and will compete in CIF Regionals.
Dana Choi (Jr.) shot a 79, Nodoka Honda (Jr.) shot a 73, and Coco Yang (So.) shot a 72.
“We’ve never won CIF Southern Section before, so we really wanted to win,” Co-Captain Kristin Shea (Sr.) said. “The best three schools move on to Regionals, so this was really important. This game was different, in a way, because there were schools from different districts. It almost felt unreal to win CIF-SS, and I will definitely have more confidence in myself and have fun while I play.”
The team reflected on the importance of this match. “I think everyone stood out in their own way; we all pulled our weight and won,” Co-Captain Samantha Cabunag (Sr.) said. “It was really important to us that we win since we have been so close for the last two years.”
Coach Kevin Kasper (Science Dept.) proudly reflected on the team this year. “This year’s golf team has gone further into the CIF playoffs than any UHS golf team ever before,” Kasper said. “I am thrilled for the girls because they will always remember this. Their hard work is paying off.”
The team recounted the speciality of reaching this level in the competition and bonding as a team. “We bonded more as a team after staying at a hotel together overnight. The previous round had good days for me but [Monday] was definitely not my best,” Alexis Kim (So.) said. “But I wouldn’t change anything about it because I tried my best and made mistakes that I can learn from for next time.” Kim also performed well, shooting a 82.
Previous teams have progressed beyond league and competed in CIF. In 2015, the team made it to CIF championships and won divisionals.
Honda agrees with Kim’s reflection of this stage in the competition and the team. “[We have] been a lot more confident this year,” Honda said. “All of us stood out because we all shot in the 70s or below and that really brought us together as a team because it felt like we won together.”
The team moves on to the next round at Southern California Regional Golf Championships, on November 9. If the team places in the top three at CIF Regionals, they will move on to State.
